Last time I promised I would return in a later article to the "sensations" chapter, and now the moment has come to address these essential components of psychic life.
What are sensations?
Sensations are part of the sensory psychic processes and are the first to form, from the first days of life. They are "elementary and primary psychic phenomena," but of capital importance. Without them, we wouldn't be sensitive beings and couldn't gather information about the environment we are in.
Types of sensations
The intensity of a sensation differs from person to person and is influenced by anatomical factors. Sensory receptors are specific: the eye for image, the nose for smell.
People fall into four sensory categories:
- Tactile: touch is important
- Visual: what they see is important
- Auditory: words and conversations are most important
- Olfactory: smell and perfume stir the senses
Sensations in romantic relationships
At the beginning of a relationship, couples can have "conflicts" based on sensory differences. For instance, a relationship between a visual person and an auditory one can generate initial dissatisfactions. Men tend to be more visual and olfactory; women more auditory and tactile.
Once understood, these differences become opportunities for development and can intensify the shared experience.
Subtle sensations
Sensations can subtly indicate information about a situation or person. "Goosebumps" (cutis anserina) is a reflex triggered by cold or strong emotions such as fear, pleasure, or euphoria. To translate these signals, you must pay attention to yourself and know your body.
Sensations, together with perceptions and representations, are the three basic psychic processes, called sensory psychic processes.
